Alibi Clears Man Held |in Courthouse Shooting

(CN) – A man who was being held in the shooting of two people outside a North Carolina courthouse Tuesday has been released because he has a credible alibi, police officials say. Ontarius Montre Lewis, 23, was released Tuesday night after questioning, Nashville Police Chief Thomas Bashore said. “He had an alibi,” Bashore said. “He wasn’t here at the time of the shooting.” Investigators are still searching for Demond Levar Morris, 36. Police officials have not said what Morris’ alleged role was in the shooting. They are also searching for the gunman and the light-colored car. Bashore said in a statement that investigators are “currently working on several leads into the shooting” but provided no details. Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information that will lead to more arrests or convictions in the case. Two men were injured when a gunman ran up the steps of the country house in Nashville, NC, fired several shots, and then ran away, escaping in a light-colored car. Nashville is approximately 40 miles east of Raleigh. One man was shot in the hand and leg, Sheriff Dick Jenkins said. Another man ran around the east side of the building and was shot in the back. The victims have been identified as Donte’a Evans, 34, and Lamar Ricks, 31. Both men were taken to Nash General Hospital and were then airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. They are in stable condition. Jenkins described the shooting as “senseless.”